2 Samuel 4:7

_FOR WHEN THEY CAME INTO THE HOUSE, HE LAY ON HIS BED IN HIS BEDCHAMBER, AND THEY SMOTE HIM, AND SLEW HIM, AND BEHEADED HIM, AND TOOK HIS HEAD, AND GAT THEM AWAY THROUGH THE PLAIN ALL NIGHT._ When they came into the house, he lay on his bed. Rechab and Baanah came in the heat of the day, when they knew that Ish-bosheth, their master, would, according to custom, be resting on his divan; and as it was necessary, for the reason just given, to have the grain the day before it was needed, their coming at that time, though it might be a little earlier than usual, created no suspicion, and attracted no notice. They took advantage of these circumstances to execute an infamous plot they had formed against the life of their master; and having assassinated him while reposing on his couch, they cut off his head, to be carried as a trophy to David in Hebron. GAT THEM AWAY THROUGH THE PLAIN ALL NIGH...

1-7 See how Ishbosheth was murdered! When those difficulties dispirit us, which should sharpen our endeavours, we betray both our heavenly crowns and our earthly lives. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty and ruin. The idle soul is an easy prey to the destroyer. We know not when and where death will meet us. When we lie down to sleep, we are not sure that we may not sleep the sleep of death before we awake; nor do we know from what hand the death-blow may come....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 4:1 WHEN SAUL'S SON HEARD THAT ABNER WAS DEAD. The news of Abner's death must have had a doubly depressing effect upon Ishbosheth; for he learned, not only that the mainstay of his kingdom was slain, but that even he, in despair of a successful issue, had been engaged in treasonable negotiations with his rival. ALL THE ISRAELITES WERE TROUBLED. Their trouble was caused rather by uncertainty than by fear. Abner's plans had fallen through, and the fact of his murder threw grave suspicions on David. Had he now attacked Israel, the chiefs would most probably have stood loyally by Saul's house. But he did nothing, and his innocence slowly but gradually was made clear. They were thus in a state of suspense, and waiting till some brave man arose to lead them to a decision. Unfortunately, a fresh crime threw e

FOR WHEN THEY CAME INTO THE HOUSE, HE LAY ON HIS BED IN HIS BEDCHAMBER,.... This is repeated to give a more particular account of the murder; though Abarbinel thinks they went in twice; when they went in first they smote him under the fifth rib, and made their escape; but fearing they had not left him dead, they returned, and did as follows: AND THEY SMOTE HIM, AND SLEW HIM; so that it was out of all doubt with them that he was dead: AND BEHEADED HIM; to make sure work of it: AND TOOK HIS HEAD; along with them, perhaps in one of the sacks they had to fetch wheat in, and so passed undiscovered, to carry to David, to curry favour with him: AND GAT THEM AWAY THROUGH THE PLAIN ALL NIGHT; through the plain of Jordan; all the way from Mahanaim to Hebron being for the most part a plain country till they came to Hebron, which was mountainous; the way from Mahanaim to Hebron was a space of si...

5. THE DEATH OF ISH-BOSHETH CHAPTER 4 _ 1. Ish-bosheth in despair (2 Samuel 4:1)_ 2. Mephibosheth, the lame son (2 Samuel 4:4) 3. The end of Ish-bosheth (2 Samuel 4:5) 4. The punishment of the murderers (2 Samuel 4:9) Abner's death meant the speedy end of Ish-bosheth's pretentious reign. Baanah and Rechab were his captains and became his murderers. While Ish-bosheth was resting in the heat of the day they sneaked in and murdered the sleeping son of Saul, then brought the head to David. They claimed to be instruments of God in the execution of the wicked deed, expecting approval and a reward from

It was clear that Ishbaal's authority could not long survive Abner. It was only a question who should carry out the schemes which Abner had set on foot. Two of Ishbaal's captains came to his house as he was enjoying his midday siesta. And, behold the portress was cleaning wheat, and she had fallen sound asleep, and they got into the house without being noticed (following LXX of 2 Samuel 4:6 _cf. mg.),_ and slew Ishbaal and took his head to David, who had them put to death. There are two insertions in this narrative. 2 Samuel 4:2_ b_, 2 Samuel 4:3 is an archæ ological note as to Beeroth (Deuteronomy 10:6). Its inhabitants, probabl

BED. Compare 2 Samuel 3:31....

_through the plain_ BY THE WAY OF THE ARABAH. See note on ch. 2 Samuel 2:29. From Mahanaim to Hebron was a distance of about 80 or 90 miles....

THEY CAME THITHER INTO THE MIDST OF THE HOUSE— Houbigant, following the version of the LXX, translates the whole thus: _the keeper of the house, while he was cleaning wheat in the midst of it, slept in the sun; therefore Rechab and Baanah his brother entered the house secretly, and whilst Ish-bosheth slept upon his bed, in an inner chamber, they smote him till he died, and they took his head, which they had cut off, and travelled all the night by the way of the desart,_ &c. REFLECTIONS.—Abner, the stay of Saul's family, being dead, Ish-bosheth's affairs sunk the faster; and no other of Saul's house remained who could pretend to the crown, but a child of Jonathan's who was lamed by a fall; and thus was, both by his age and misfortune, unfit to retrieve their ruined circumstances. _Note;_ (1.) The perils of tender infancy are great; to have escaped them unhurt, is a singular mercy. (2.) Wh...

4. How was Ish-bosheth killed? 2 Samuel 4:5-7 Rimmon and Rechab pretended that they were making deliveries to the king's palace. They chose to enter the place at the heat of the day when the doorkeeper was probably taking a siesta. Ish-bosheth was resting at noontime in his bed. When the assassins gained access to the interior of the palace, they beheaded Ish-bosheth and took his head with them as a trophy. Such a plot's being successful indicates that Ish-bosheth had a very modest establishment, affording probably only a maidservant as a porter; and she was obliged to do other work while keeping the door. _5._ Why did they take the head to David? 2 Samuel 4:8 These men were like the Amalekite who brought news of Saul's death to David. They all thought that David would be glad to lea